Council secures funding for new mobile library van
Published on 13 June 2025
Shoalhaven residents are set to benefit from a new mobile library van after Council received a $200,000 grant from the New South Wales Government.
Council has been announced as one of 23 recipients of the 2024-25 Public Library Infrastructure Grants by the NSW Minister for the Arts, John Graham MLC.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said the funding will help purchase and fit out a new mobile library van to service communities in the southern Shoalhaven.
“I thank the NSW Government for this much needed funding as it will be vital in ensuring we’re able to expand our mobile library offering to assist towns and villages in the Ulladulla and Jervis Bay areas,” Cr White said.
“Currently we only have one van following the decommissioning of our mobile library truck, as it was no longer safe to drive after 20 years in operation,” she said.
“With such a large geographical footprint, having only one mobile library has significantly reduced our outreach programmes.
“I’m delighted that we will now be able to purchase and customise a second vehicle that will help boost literacy and create a greater awareness of our library services,” she said.
Public Library Infrastructure Grants are available for projects that will assist local governments to improve public library infrastructure, including buildings and information technology systems.
The mobile library has been operating in the Shoalhaven since 1967 and is used for outreach services like Council’s Destination Parks, the Arty Farty Party as well as Family Fun Days. It also provides free Wi-Fi services and access to e-resources.
The new van will primarily visit schools and aged care facilities in the southern Shoalhaven.
Replacing the previous mobile library truck will also create operational savings of approximately $1,500 per year for Council, due to reduced fuel consumption.
Operation of the mobile library aligns with several key priorities in Council’s Community Strategic Plan and the Shoalhaven Libraries Strategic Plan 2024-2027.
It is anticipated the new van will hit the road in early 2026.
For more information visit the Shoalhaven Libraries website.